Washington, D.C. – The Society for International Development – United States Chapter (SID US) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to advance shared diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility goals through information sharing. The MOU was signed by USAID Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen and SID-US President Katherine Raphaelson at the Global Summit 2023: Innovation and Investment for Governments, co-hosted by USAID and Draper University on May 4, 2023.
USAID issued a press release stating that its partnership with SID-US would “advance collaboration, leveraging its resources for greater impact, and creating lasting change that reduces the need for foreign assistance.”
“We are excited to partner with USAID around our shared DEIA goals,” Katherine Raphaelson, President of SID-US commented. “As a national organization, our convening power will be enhanced by this partnership, allowing us to bring more diverse voices to the ‘global town square’ and increasing opportunities for membership and partnerships, which will benefit everyone.”
Anne Simmons Benton, SID-US Deputy Chair, further noted, “This MOU is a conscious effort to recognize the expansion of international development around the US and to build our programming focus, outreach, and engagement beyond the DC region. Our hope is to expand and diversify our membership to increase a pipeline of talent for USAID that reflects the face of our country.” Bobby Jefferson, Chair of SID-US’ DEIA Task Force and Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Engagement, and Inclusion at DAI, added, “We look forward to contributing to the goal to increase and diversify the talent pool of professionals working in humanitarian assistance and international development and to engage with HBCUs and MSIs throughout the country.”
USAID stated that the MOU “affirm(s) the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and (advances) the Agency's initiatives under Executive Order (E.O.) 14091 Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government and E.O. 14035 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.”
ABOUT SID-UNITED STATES
SID-US is the premier professional association for individuals and institutions interested in international development. The mission of SID-US is to advance equitable development by bringing diverse constituencies together to debate critical ideas, policies, and practices. Learn more at www.sid-us.org.